Dornfelder [DORN-fehl-tehr]
An effective German red-wine grape derived in 1955 from a cross of Helfensteiner and Heroldrebe, both of which are also crosses. Helfensteiner is a cross between Frühburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Trollinger (Schiava); Heroldrebe is a cross of Portugieser and Limberger (Blaufränkisch). Dornfelder, grown primarily in Germany’s Pfalz, Rheinhessen, and Württemberg regions, produces wines considered very good, but not great. It’s considered a good alternative to the German Pinot Noir varieties Frühburgunder and Spätburgunder, which often don’t meet expectations in these regions. Dornfelder is also grown in England, where it’s often used as a blending wine. Because of its success, Dornfelder itself has been crossed to created additional varieties—with Limberger (Blaufränkisch) to create Acolon and with Cabernet Sauvignon to create both Cabernet Dorsa and Cabernet Dorio.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.